State Updates
Homebased Service Agreement – Thanks to those who offered insight to the draft service agreement for those in homebased.  Based on the concerns raised through the stakeholder input process, the Division of Developmental Disabilities is placing the Draft Information Bulletin revising the HBS Service Agreement process on hold indefinitely.

ISC NOFO Legislation/Resolution
As you might remember from last week, legislation was introduced last week to retroactively exclude ISCs from the notice of funding opportunity process (HB844).  It is expected to be hear in the Human Services Committee on Wednesday morning at 8:30 am if you want to submit a witness slip to inform the committee.   If you are unsure how to fill out a witness slip, click here.

In addition, House Resolution 214, has been put forth to direct the Auditor General to conduct a management audit of the Department of Human Services’ process for selecting Independent Service Coordination agencies for the Fiscal Year commencing July 1, 2019.

The Arc remains very focused on advocating during any transition (the current or if a bill to reverse the outcome were to pass) individuals and families be not only included in the process, but at the front of the process.  We are advocating for additional communications to families and a continuation of choice for families in ISC access.  More to follow later this week on our advocacy.

Please remember that your ISC does not change until July 2, 2019 if at all.  Here is the map as a reminder of where we will be seeing changes.  DHS is forming a Family Advisory Council to engage people with disabilities and families who are impacted by these changes.  We have encouraged them to bring this group together sooner rather than later.  ISCs continue to work to implement the new contracts for July 1, 2019.

New email contact for questions: myisc@illinois.gov.  You can email that and the Division staff will answer questions you have and try to help address any issues.  We are hearing of people who have not received letters telling them about the change of ISCs in their area.  We expect that you will receive them in the next week or two but you can also email myisc@illinois.gov with questions.  We also would encourage you to share your experience with the transition by sending emails especially regarding any concerns around staffing limitations/access.

This Week In Legislation
Last week was the Senate Committee deadline, though in the Senate it is easier to extend the deadline for specific bills.  This week, the House faces a committee deadline which means bills either need to move out of committee or die for this year.  We have already seen some good bills move out of committees including Customized Employment, Criminal Justice and Disability task force, the Sex Ed/Sex Safety bill and the extension of the age where anesthesia can be used for kids and young adults with autism.  This week we are focused on:

Wednesday, House Human Services, 8:30 am
Increasing Communications with People Waiting on PUNS (HB3483)
Witness slip – Support

Thursday – House Approps, 8:30 am
Personal Needs Allowance Increase (HB2815)
Witness Slip – Support

Direct Support Worker Wages (HB2148)
Witness Slip – Support

Caregiver Tax Credit (HB2974)
Witness Slip – Support

Call Your Legislators to Support Illinois Legislative Accessibility Act (HB2522).  Clear here for the Access Living Action Alert.